October 11, 2022

Japan Prime Minister promises to boost wagyu exports

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida promised to add measures to boost wagyu exports in the upcoming planned economic package to be announced later this month, The Japan Times reported.

After a meeting with beef cattle producers in the city of Kirishima, Kagoshima Prefecture, Kishida told reporters that the government must increase the ability of wagyu producers to make money.

Making use of the weak yen, he said they will work hard to expand exports of agricultural, forestry, and fisheries products.

The plan will boost domestic feed production, encourage the use of farmyard waste as fertiliser, and provide increased funding for the construction of facilities to manage beef's hygienic conditions before it is exported.

Kishida attended the Wagyu Olympics, a national wagyu competition that featured 440 cattle from 41 prefectures, at the prize-giving ceremony in Kirishima.

The competition, held in the prefecture for five days starting on Thursday, was won by Kagoshima this year.

Kishida said wagyu is a Japanese treasure. I anticipate that (improved breeds) will be passed down to the following generations and that there will be more advancements made.

The competition takes place every five years. In 2027, the next competition will be held in Hokkaido, the country's most northerly prefecture.

-      The Japan Times